Language
/ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ/noun
A system of communication used by a particular community or country.
Did you know?The word 'language' shares roots with the Latin word for 'tongue', emphasizing the physicality of speech and its connection to the body and power of expression.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dn̥ǵʰu-
“to speak or to talk, often associated with the act of using the tongue.”
Latin
Latin
lingua
“the tongue, also referring to language as a means of communication.”
Old French
Old French
langage
“the act of speaking, a term derived from 'tongue', emphasizing verbal communication.”
Middle English
Middle English
language
“the manner of speech or expression, reflecting the Old French influence.”
Modern English
English
language
“a structured system of communication that conveys meaning through sounds and symbols.”